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Flight Review: Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Rome in Premium Economy

November 25, 2014 by Jean Holy Smithereens 13 Comments

Not quite business, but better than economy.

Premium Economy on Cathay Pacific offers a dedicated check-in, priority boarding at the gate, wider seats and a private cabin, and overall a more comfortable flight experience.

Are these factors enough for you to end your days in ‘coach class’ and upgrade? Read on 🙂

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy

Hong Kong to Rome

Flight number: CX 293

Seat number: 31C

Aircraft: Airbus 340

Departure time from Hong Kong: 0015  / Arrival time in Rome: 0730

Flight time: 12 hours 50 minutes

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Seats

With only 28 seats on the Premium Economy cabin, it was pretty quiet. Seating configuration was 2 – 3- 2.

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Not all seats were taken, so it was with great pleasure that I found out I had 2 seats all to myself!

To give a comparison how the Premium Economy seat fare against Business and Economy seats on the CX Airbus 340 Aircraft:

information taken from Seat Guru
information taken from Seat Guru
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Here’s the legroom on my seat. (note: I am 5’5) The most noticeable feature is the footrest, which offers 3 positions.

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Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

As the most important comfort feature in every flight is getting your feet up (for your body to be in as flat a position as possible), I found the footrest really helpful (coupled with the seat’s 8 inch recline), in kind of tricking your body into feeling that it is ‘about’ to get into a lie-flat position, which was helpful in sleeping up to 3 hours max, until your back numbs and your body decides it really needs to seriously lie flat.

Worth noting too are the presence of a USB charger (yay!) and also a compartment just below the monitor, with clever peep through holes so you can easily see what you had stored in there. Perfect for: reading glasses, phones, snacks, makeup, etc.

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

As mentioned, I had 2 seats to myself but should you find yourself next to a fellow passenger on a Cathay Pacific Premium Economy flight, here’s the wide armrest that separates you. The small notches in front an also extend to individual cup holders.

I took a peek behind me and saw that the 2 seats behind were also unoccupied. I also accidentally saw this:

Why, hi there.
Why, hi there.

My pet peeve on flights. Good thing that a.) the foot was in a sock and b.) I am quite far away from it!

Back to the seats, my tip would be to go for the bulkhead seats as it looks as though they get a better recline factor out of all the seats in the Premium Economy cabin. Here’s a bulkhead seat in it’s full recline:

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Extras

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome: Individual water bottles
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome: Individual water bottles

Every passenger was given a full sized Evian mineral water. This is a big deal to me as I chug down a lot of water on flights, especially on long-haul ones. Mid-flight when I asked for a second bottle, there was no problem at all. I like that it’s also a full-sized bottle, none of those gone-in-one-gulp mini bottles.

Noise Cancelling Headphones, Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Noise Cancelling Headphones, Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

These noise-cancelling headphones were really helpful in me enjoying the in-flight entertainment. They fit really well and are undeniably an upgrade from the usual economy class foam+plastic headphones.

Amenity Kit

This part, I was rather annoyed at myself for not knowing beforehand that Cathay Pacific does give out amenity kits on Premium Economy. As nothing was given to me at all, I assumed there was none. But towards the end of the flight, I saw the 2 passengers on the bulkhead row sifting through a black and white tote and applying lotion on their hands. I looked around and it seemed that not everyone on the Premium Economy cabin were given the amenity kit.

By the time I realised this, we were already landing and it was too late to ask for one.

But for the purpose of this blog, here’s what the Premium Economy amenity kit looks like , from Cathay Pacific’s website:

Cathay Pacific premium economy amenity kit
Cathay Pacific premium economy amenity kit

Wasn’t too impressed about the inconsistency of the amenity kit’s distribution to passengers.

Thank goodness that the meals more than made up for it:

Meals

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Menu CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Menu CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

With the flight departing just after midnight from Hong Kong and arriving at 0730 in Rome, the 2 meals served on board were supper and breakfast.

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Menu CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Menu CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Supper was a no-brainer for this seafood loving passenger. I chose the Steamed Halibut with Garlic, Bean Paste Sauce and Onion, Steamed Jasmine Rice and Kailan.

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy meal CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy meal CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

The chicken coronation salad that came as an entree was good. But the Halibut was really tender and fresh! I know a good fish when I eat it and this definitely tasted like it was just caught that afternoon, and also just freshly cooked. The jasmine rice were firm, chewy and pillowy, none of those ‘broken’ or hardened rice effect normally associated with plane food. The Kailan (greens) were also crisp and made a good accompaniment to the fish.

This meal could have been transferred on a proper china plate and it would definitely feel and taste like business class grub.

10 stars for this seafood meal!

Ice Cream dessert on Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Ice Cream dessert on Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Dessert was served later, a Haagen-Dazs banana flavoured ice cream. Again it was rock-hard (as all in-flight ice creams are) and I love it!

Snacks in the Galley. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Snacks in the Galley. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

With this being an almost 13-hour red-eye flight, there was a long stretch between meals. If you walk to the Galley, there’s a generous basket of chips, crackers, biscuits and fruit. Juice and water are available too.

Movies I watched

With snacks in tow, I settled comfortably to watch 2 movies (in between naps)

Watching "Diana" Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Watching “Diana” Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

I took the chance to see Diana, the biographical movie focusing on the last 2 years of Diana, Princess of Wales’ life. Prior to watching, I already knew this movie had bad reviews. I love both Naomi Watts and Diana Princess of Wales, but this was just too painful to watch.

watching Grace of Monaco. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
watching Grace of Monaco. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Slightly better was another biographical movie, Grace of Monaco. Though Nicole Kidman was stiff as usual (perhaps due to character as well) , I appreciated the focus on the political history of Monaco of the movie.

Breakfast

Breakfast on Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome: Congee!
Breakfast on Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome: Congee!

A choice between spinach omelette with beans or beef congee, I chose the lighter option of congee. This was one of the best in-flight breakfasts I’ve had. The congee had the right thickness and texture, and the beef slices were really tender. The congee also had perfect seasoning, (no need to add any more). My only ‘complaint’ is that I wish it was in a bigger container as it was really good.

Yogurt, fruits and croissant were served on the side for both western and oriental breakfasts.

Landing

13 hours seems excruciatingly long. That’s two nights’ worth of sleep for me! Surprisingly though in this flight, it didn’t feel that long.

The journey of my flight consisted of: Eat-Sleep-Watch movie/snack-Sleep-Watch Movie/Snack – Breakfast – Land.

Landing into Rome. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome
Landing into Rome. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong Kong to Rome

Given the factors above, most particularly the extra space and recline on seats, I would recommend Premium Economy to those wishing extra comfort.

The price point (up to AUD 2,000 – 4,000 less than Business Class fare) is also a plus.

The excellent food alone is enough for me to want this upgrade from Economy. Also, the Premium Economy cabin seems to be the most quiet in all 3 zones.

Good Morning Rome! Landing in Rome, 06:30 Am. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong kong to Rome
Good Morning Rome! Landing in Rome, 06:30 Am. Cathay Pacific Premium Economy CX 293 Hong kong to Rome

With Premium Economy, I didn’t need that much ‘recovery time’. Recovery time when flying in Economy for me usually meant a full day’s sleep when I reach my destination. On this flight, I was able to go out for lunch and walk the streets, take a 2 hour nap, work out, then did an evening tour from 7PM to 10PM.

Other benefits of flying Premium Economy:

As a Premium Economy Class passenger, your check-in baggage allowance is 25kg. On flights to, from or via the US, Canada and some countries in South America, you may check in up to 2 bags – each with dimensions measuring up to 158 cm (62”) and weighing 25kg (55 lbs).

Premium Economy is available on most mid – long haul Cathay Pacific flights. Click here to read more information and to book your flight.

—

I flew with the assistance of Cathay Pacific, but this has not swayed my thoughts or opinions of this review.  

 

 

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Filed Under: Airline, Asia, Europe, HongKong, Italy, Luxury Travel, Reviews, Travel Reviews, Travels

About Jean Holy Smithereens

Jean is a lover of luxury travel and adventure, always looking for that "Holy Smithereens"-inducing moment on her travels. Follow the blog and other social media pages of Holy Smithereens to get the ultimate travel ideas for the luxurious adventurer!

Comments

  1. The Guy says

    November 25, 2014 at 4:54 am

    Hi Jean,

    Fabulous review. You go into so much details I can’t think of anything we don’t know.

    Disappointing to hear about the amenity kit. I do get annoyed when airline staff don’t do their job properly such as handing out this stuff.

    Nice to hear the reclining seat was of benefit, naturally a fully flat bed would help more but this sounds like a significant step up from economy.

    I’ve only flown once with Cathay Pacific, business class and that was a long time ago. I don’t remember much about the experience except that it didn’t stand out as being better than most for me.

    Maybe I should give them another try?

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      November 25, 2014 at 7:26 pm

      Thank you Guy! Glad to hear I didn’t miss out on details 🙂 Yes, it is a shame about the amenity kit, especially when the Premium Economy cabin was less than half full, so they can’t say they ran out.
      Nothing beats a fully flat bed especially in long haul, but this is the next best thing.
      Yes, definitely give them another try – it is quite enjoyable especially on long haul (CX business). I’ve received warmer and more exuberant service but CX service, I can depend on for efficiency

      Reply
  2. Grace @ Sandier Pastures says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:56 am

    I see more leg room!! Will look into Premium Economy the next time we fly Cathay Pacific. We often use CX from Dubai to Japan. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      November 25, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      Yes definitely more leg room in this zone! 🙂 Your kids are already well behaved when travelling, and they would surely enjoy Premium Economy!

      Reply
  3. Seana - Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    I’ve never taken a premium economy flight on any airline and have wondered whether it would be worth it… I’m sure I’d always try to squeeze the finances or more likely air miles and get into business…. there is nothing like a 180 degree flat bed…. hmmm… good to hear you didn’t need so much recovery time after the flight, that is great.

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      December 4, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      Oh yes Seana, if finances allow it, business will always be better hands down 🙂 being flat as possible is always the key to having a greater flight experience. I had more sleep time on Economy flights which had me having 3-4 seats all to myself and therefore allowing me to lie flat. But of course service in Premium Economy is better 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    November 26, 2014 at 8:46 am

    I never really find Premium Economy that good although the space does certainly help but of course you never know whether there will be anyone sitting next to you or not. And hehe I’ve seen both those movies and you were very generous with your review.

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      December 4, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      I find the legroom difference bet Premium Economy vs Economy a real deal breaker 🙂 oh and the food quality too! Yes agree, it’s pure luck if you don’t have anyone next to you. It’s great to be able to put some of your personal things on the other seat. I thought Grace of Monaco wasn’t all too bad, it was Nicole Kidman’s acting that ruined it for me!

      Reply
  5. Anna @ shenANNAgans says

    November 28, 2014 at 10:50 am

    I’ve not flown premium economy before, I have fears of doing it one time and never being able to go back. The wallet wouldnt be able to handle it. But… the extra leg room might just be worth it, even more skipping the full on post flight tireds.

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      December 4, 2014 at 8:54 pm

      Hi Anna, Premium Economy is not as ‘scary’ as business (in terms of not wanting to go back) 🙂 Yes to me the extra leg room does it, more so when you don’t have anyone next to you (which only happens by chance/luck). 🙂

      Reply
  6. Francois says

    November 29, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Hi Jean ! Never tried the CX Premium Eco, I am too much bizness-fan 🙂 Anyway, it looks better than the Air France Premium Eco for quite the same price.

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      December 4, 2014 at 8:53 pm

      Oh I’ll choose business over Premium Economy anytime 🙂 haha! Haven’t tried Air France’s premium economy, only their business class (the wet lease agreement with Etihad), so it was Etihad service on an Air france metal, so would like to try their actual business one day too.

      Reply
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    April 3, 2018 at 3:50 pm

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